Government is the Problem
What to know: A new poll finds that: “90% of Texans consider housing affordability to be a problem.” The largest sources of financial strain include utility bills, insurance costs, and property taxes.
The TPPF take: Texas’ affordability crisis can be traced back to poor public policy.
“At the root of today’s housing market woes are overregulation, over-taxation, and market interference—much of which is the consequence of progressive activism at the local government level,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “To increase housing supply and improve affordability, the next Texas Legislature should come ready to preempt bad housing regulations, restrain property tax increases, and reduce the cost of local government.”
For more on housing, click here.
Washed Away
What to know: Dreams of a Green New Deal were dealt a blow recently when a major offshore wind project was halted after debris from a failing wind turbine began littering the ocean and washing ashore on Nantucket beaches.
The TPPF take: The Biden-Harris administration cut corners in the environmental permitting process for Vineyard Wind.
“In its rush to implement its ‘energy transformation,’ the Biden/Harris administration skipped key environmental impact studies,” says TPPF’s Robert Henneke. “The federal government is required to ensure safety and environmental protection by law when approving projects including offshore wind farms. And officials knew this project came with risks.”
For more on offshore wind, click here.
Counting the Costs
The TPPF take: Gov. Abbott is a Winner for the week.
“Gov. Abbott’s leadership in busing migrants to sanctuary cities has helped the rest of the country see exactly what it means to have thousands of illegal immigrants descend upon a community,” says TPPF’s Sherry Sylvester. “Texas has also spent billions to secure the southern border, but the cost is not just in National Guard and fencing. The burden on Texas schools and hospitals is also astronomical.”
For more on Winners and Losers, click here.